Looking Back On 2010 At The Humane Society

As 2010 comes to an end, I can’t help but look back on the year’s events. This has been a great year and we have high hopes that next year will be successful, too.

This year we adopted out over 500 animals! In October we had a record high number of adoptions, totaling 68. We also set record numbers at our last mobile adoption event in December at the Fountain Hills PETCO with five adoptions!

We have worked closely with the community and have serviced 60 animals, by either holding the animals for safe keeping as a humanitarian hold or as an evacuee. We also worked with other shelters and rescues and placed 40 animals in their care for adoption. All of those animals that we sent to rescue were successful at finding their forever home.

Another adoption success story was for a precious girl named Star. Star came in to the shelter April 18, 2008. She was in foster care for nearly two-and-a-half years before her new parents came along and adopted her. Star fits in perfectly in her new home, and her adopters say it’s like she has been a part of the family for years.

On June 5th there was a sold-out crowd of animal lovers who enjoyed an afternoon in the pines at the “Country, Wine, Jazz, Cheese and Chocolate Festival,” a fund-raiser to benefit the animals served by HSCAZ. The benefit was hosted by the Rusty Lyon family at beautiful La Cienega Ranch. The event raised more than $144,000, taking us one step closer to start building our critically needed new shelter.

With the cash on hand in the building fund, the Humane Society of Central Arizona is preparing to commence construction for Phase II of the new shelter facilities. A recent major gift from the estate of longtime Payson resident Dorothy Clark, combined with the generosity of many others who over the years have supported HSCAZ’s efforts to help animals, provided the dollars necessary to move forward.

This year we were pleased to welcome Sarah Hock as our new Executive Director. We have been blessed with new board members, volunteers and staff as well. In October we hosted our very first volunteer appreciation luncheon. We do our best to show appreciation and respect to those who help us become what we are today. Without the support and love from all of these wonderful people, including you, we couldn’t do it.

Halfway through this year, I stepped up and took on the responsibility of writing these weekly articles for the Payson Roundup. I hope I have made you proud and that you enjoy what you read. This week, to end the year on a positive note, we have included a picture of Star, our longtime resident who was finally adopted, and my personal picks for you to read about. Have a safe and happy holidays and a happy New Year.

Puppy

Baby

PUPPY AND BABY

Puppy and Baby are 3-1/2-year-old neutered male cats. They were surrendered to us back in July when their owner could no longer keep them. These brothers have been together since they were kittens and would make someone who is willing to adopt two cats very happy. These are two of the most affectionate cats I’ve ever met. They are friendly with other cats and dogs and have also been around children. If I could have cats, they would be mine. Puppy and Baby are affectionate boys who are well behaved and deserve to find their forever home, preferably together.

Daisy is shy and needs a loving family who will make her feel safe.

DAISY

Daisy is a 3-1/2 year old Shepherd mix who was originally turned over to us in October of 2009 with her sister Mindy. They were adopted together a few months after being surrendered, but had to come back because their adopter was very allergic to them. Mindy went on to find her forever home and later Daisy was adopted, only to be returned again almost a year later. Daisy is one of the best dogs, but can be a little shy around men she isn’t familiar or comfortable with. This little girl is what I call the ideal dog to adopt. She is housebroken and leash-trained, good with cats, dogs and children and such a well-mannered girl. All she needs is someone with a little patience and understanding so that she can feel safe and be willing to come completely out of her shell.

Zoe is loving and loyal and hopes for a forever family to call her own.

Missy would love a new home with an active and outgoing family.

ZOE and MISSY

Zoe and Missy are two dogs I have known for a while now. Missy I knew from her previous owner and Zoe because of her frequent trips to the shelter. Both are very loving, loyal dogs with a lot of energy and eagerness to learn. Both these girls have been around kids, but would probably do best with older children since they are so active and outgoing. Plenty of exercise and a secure yard are their only requirements, though all they really want is a family to love and call their own.

Star is one of our 2010 adoption success stories. She was in foster care for more than two years before her new parents came along and adopted her. They say she fits in perfectly with the family, and her canine sibling Connor agrees.

I see a lot of potential in these animals and feel they will make great companions for the right person or family. To learn more about them and the other wonderful pets available for adoption, visit the shelter at 812 S. McLane Road just south of Main Street, give us a call at (928) 474-5590 or see our website, www.humanesocietycentralaz.org.